Combined check valve and vacuum breaker



Dec. 4, 1945- J. D. LANGDON 2,390,108

COMBINED CHECK VALVE AND VACUUM BREAKER Originai Filed Oct. 16, 1941 Tia. 1 v 2 INVENTOR J 56 D. Lqn don ms A NEY Patented Dec. 4, 1945 COMBINED CHECK VALVE AND VACUUM BREAKER Jesse D. Langdon, Long Beach, Calif.

Original application October 16, 1941, Serial No.

415,165, now Patent No. 2,336,486, dated December 14, 1943. Divided and this application May 6, 1943, Serial No. 485,839%

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in check valves, and has particular value as applied to vacuum breakers designed to prevent back-flow in plumbing systems. Y

An object of my invention is to provide an improved vacuum breaker in which an apertured tube, serving conjointly as a valve chamber and tail piece, is coupled to a water supply pipe, and a unitary check valve is removably positioned within said apertured tube in proper operative relation therewith, by the coupling means connecting the supply pipe and tail piece.

An object of the invention is to provide means whereby a very tight closure of a check valve is possible by the application of relatively small force.

Another object is to provide an improved check valve unit in combination with an apertured tubular casing coupled to a water supply pipe to serve as a tail piece therefor, to provide a syphon breaker, or back-pressure control device, of low first cost, ease of replacement or repair, and high operative elficiency.

An additional object is to provide a construction of syphon breaker, or back-pressure control device, such that the check valve means thereof is positively effective to both control the flow of liquid therethrough and to open and to tightly close the air Vents thereof.

Further objects and features will be apparent from the following detailed description of the specific embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

This application is a division of my copendihg application, Serial No. 415,165, filed October 16, 1941, now Patent No. 2,336,486, granted December 14, 1943.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a preferred form of the invention, and showing the two-fold function of the check valve element thereof;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 2-2, Fig. 1, and illustrating internal parts i elevation;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1; and r Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 1.

A preferred embodiment of my invention includes a double acting, single flap valve for accomplishnig, in a simple tubular valve casing, the double objective of check valve and air control device.

The valve casing is here formed by a conventional tail piece 60 secured to the dischargevend of supply piping 6| by means of a. coupling nut 62,

of the coupling nut.

the tail piece being provided, at its upper end,

with an outwardly extending flange a, which.

rests upon an internally extending circumferential shoulder 62a of the coupling nut 62 and is clamped in place by tightening the coupling nut relative to the discharge end of the supply piping.

A tubular insert element 63 is suspended within the valve casing, the outwardly extending circumferential flange 64 thereof resting upon the lllallgc one of the tail piece, and oenlg clam ed therewith between the discharge end of supply piping GI and internally extending shoulder 620. Thus, such tubular insert element is securely held within the valve casing with its body disposed within tail piece 60.

The tubular insert element 63 curves at its lower end so as to locate and direct its discharge end 63a, and the discharge orifice defined thereby substantially laterally within the valve casing.

A plurality of air ports or vents 65 are aligned circumlerentially at the upper end of tall piece 60, and coupling nut 62 has a depending circumferentlal flange 62b, formmg a protective apron around such air ports or vents as well as a circumi'erential air inlet 66 to allow inflow of air into the valve casing when necessary.

Tubular insert element 63 is circular at its upper end and is dimensioned to fit snugly within the upper end of tall piece 60, thus centering itself within the valve casing. .Adjacent its upper end, it is provided with inwardly extending, channel-defining walls, indicated generally 63b, which, together with tail piece 60 form an annular air passage 6| at the location of and comprehenuing the air ports or vents 65. The lower portion of tubular insert element 63 is reduced in cr0ss sectlonal area by a transversely extending wall 630, which, at its lower end, aios in defining the discharge end 63a, and the thereby defined outflow orifice.

It should be noted that the lower portion of tubular insert element 63 fits snugly against only a portion of the circumference of the inner wall face of tail piece 60, and defines therewith a flow passage 68, externally of itself, which is disposed laterally in the valve casing between the orifice defined by dischargeend 63a of the insert element and a portion of the inner wall face of tail piece 60, such flow passage 68 constituting, in efiect, a segment of the circular horizontal sectional area of the tail piece 60, see Fig. 4.

The bottom portion of the channel-defining walls 63b is not coextensive with the top portion thereof, but falls short of the segment overlying the discharge end 63a, see 69, thereby pro viding communication of now passage 68 with the circumferential air inlet 66. A stud 63b, see Fig. 3, is, however, provided as a spacer in the positioning of tubular insert element 63 within the valve casing.

Upstanding studs 63d and 63d are provided on the upper surface of transversewall 63c, and are notched to receive and pivot the spindle 10, of curved arm ll. Such curved arm ll carries, at its lower end, the flap valve 12.

The, flap valve 12 is preferably formed by a properly configurated sheet of flexible resilient material 12a, such as rubber, sandwiched.,between similarly configurated but smaller washers 12b and 12b. As thus builttupsfiapvalvei'll is secured at the lower endot armfll asa'by means of a nut 13, and has a yieldablelip uc preferably of resilient material and rovided by the peripherally overlapping part of sheet-12a.

The discharge end 63a of tubular insert element 63 forms a -valve seat, surrounding the discharge orifice, against which the sealing lip 1-20 of the flap valvenormallyseatsiunder theiinfiuence' of gravity actingon the flap-valve.

When liquidflows through the supply: piping 5i, as indicatedby the appendedarrow, down through now passage I l-ofthe-tubular insert element-63; the flapvalve 12 is forced from the seat 8311- and into anew seating position against the opposite inner wallface of tail piece-60 and against the-lower surface of transverse wall-63c of the tubular-insert element, thus closing on fiowpassage-BS-against outflow or=-spurting of liquid through the air ports-rvents65. Backfiow from tailpiece will, if it takes place at-alL be stopped by fiap valve 12 -resting-in its-n0rmalseating. position across the-discharge orifice ofthe tubula-r insert element '63; In case'- of su'ction insnpply piping Sl -resulting in tight closureof the flap -valve in its afore-said normal seating position, the air ports or vents--65-are open to admit ainthrough flow-passage'68, and, thus; dissipate any vacuum within the-tail piecein inthe event there should be-any failure of the fiap check-valve It should be noted that the (tubular-insert element can be easily-removed, as a unit, fron'iwThe casing structure, and the fiap valve-element" can-be lifted -from the open ended slots of 63d, 63d,-comprising its pivotalmountingand-removed, for replacement'of parts, if-necessary.

\ Whereas, this invention is illustratedand de-- scribed with reference to preferred specific embodiments thereof,- it should he understood that various changesmay-be made in such specific embodiments, and many other embodiments may be constructed,'-by those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and generic scope of the invention as setforth hereinand in the claims that here follow.

I claim:

1. In combination, a tubular casingihaving a flange at one end and having vents adiacentsaid end, and a unitary check valve disposed within said tubular casing and removably supported-l therein by engagement with said casing flange; said check valve having at its outlet a pivotally mounted valve element including arim. portion engageable with the side wall of said casingtbetween the outlet and the-vents to preclude accidental discharge of fluid fromsaid check valve through said vents.

' 2. In combination, a vents communicating with casing'havi-ng a-fiange at one tubular casing having the atmosphera said end, and a: unitary -68 toward supply piping 6 I check valve disposed within said tubular casing and removably supported therein by engagement with said casing flange; said check valve having at its outlet a pivotally mounted valve element including a flexible rim portion engageable with the side wall of said casing between the outlet and the vents to preclude accidental discharge of fluid-from" said check valve through said vents. 3. In combination, a tubular casing having vents communicating with th temperature, a

unitary check valve removably disposed within vsaid tubular casing and having a discharge opening directed toward a side wall of said casing at a level beneath said vents, and a pivotally mount- 151edifiapdisposed-between said discharge opening and.- S8rid'CflSi!18,WB.1l, said flap valve having a peripheryadapted normally to seat against said checkvalve outlet and swingable upon fiuid discharge through said check valve to seat against the wall of said casing below the vents thereof while providing a' bafile for directingthe :discharge-from. I said :checbivalve: downwardly into said tubular easing.

4. In combination, a tubular casing having ventsrcommunicatingswiththe atmosphere, a unitary 1 check valvc removably disposed within said tubular casing'andhaving a discharge opening directedetoward a side Mallet saidrcasing at alevel beneath-said vents, and a pivotally mounted flap ':dlsposedbetween discharge opening and esaidzs casing wall,.said fiap valve having a flexible periphery; adapted: normally to seatagainstsaid check .-valve outlet andswingable. upon fluid discharge.- through; said check valve to I seatmgainst'lthe wall or said-casingcbelow the; vents thereof while providing a. bafilezfor directingthe. discharge'dromisaid check valve downwardlyiinto said tubulancasing.

-' 5. Avacuum breaking check-valve device,- com- 40 prising actail. piece, supply.:piping,and a'cou; pling nut securing-said tail pieceito .the discharge end of said supply piping and forming, therewith, a tubularcasing rliavinguan inlet and an. outlet; a'tubular-insert-secured between said tail piece and: said. supply piplng ,s-said...tubular insertelemen't shaving: channeledefining .wall portions adjacent its upper-end; -whlch,1.together. with the said tail piece, form an annular air flow {passage,-and having-furthers-lower wallportions formed -to =defi=ne a downwardly directed 'flow passage and to terminatein a peripheral discharge lip which defines a discharge orifice directedsubstantiallydaterally within 'said -tai1 piece; ports fcrmedthrqugh the wall of saidtail piece-at-the location"of-said annular air 'flow passage; a circumferential air inletdefined by said couplingvnut abouttheupper portion of said tail piece and communicatingwith said-annular'air fiow'passage through said ports; pas- 60 sage means between said annular air fiow past sagelandwtheiinteriorof said tailpiece -adjacent the discharge orifice "of said tubular insert'element;,. and alfiapivalve suspended withinisaid tubular insert element for pivotal movement, said flap valve .having a seating edge configurated to conform with the inner surfacesof said tail piece and whichnormally seats under the influence, of gravity: a ainst the said peripheral discharge lip, of..- said tubular insert element and closesiofiwaidt dischargeiorifice, saidvfiap valve being adapted to swing, under the influenceiof flow;- downwardly 1 through saidhow passage; so that itsnsaim seatingedgeseats; against ithat .por- 7 5 tlon: of: the wall dtasaid: tail piece .which lies suborifice for closing said passage means. 1

6. A vacuum breaking check valve-device, comprising a tail piece, supply piping, and a coupling stantially directly opposite from said discharge nut securing said tail piece to the'discharge end.

having channel-defining wall portions adjacentits upper end, which, together with the said tail piece, form an annular air flow passage, and having, further, lower wall portions formed to define a downwardly directed flow passage and to terminate in a peripheral discharge lip which defines a discharge orifice directed substantially laterally within said tail piece; ports formed through the wall of said tail piece at the location of said annular air flow passage; a circumferential air inlet defined by said coupling nut about the upper portion of said tail piece and communicating with said annular air flow passage through said ports; passage means between said annular air flow passage and the interior of said tail piece adjacent the discharge orifice of said tubular insert element; and a flap valve suspended within said tubular insert element for pivotal movement, said flap valve having a flexible resilient outwardly and peripherally extending sealing lip which normally seats under the influence of gravity against the said peripheral discharge lip of said tubular insert element and closes off said discharge orifice, said flap valve being adapted to swing, under the influence of flow downwardly through said fiow passage, so that its said sealing lip seats against that portion of the wall of said tail piece which lies substantially directly opposite from said discharge orifice for closing said passage means.

7. A vacuum breaking check valve device in combination with supply piping, said vacuum breaking check valve device comprising a tail piece; coupling means securing said tail piece relative to the discharge end of the supply piping; a tubular insert element secured by the said tail piece adjacent the discharge end of the supply piping, said tubular insert element having channel-defining wall portions adjacent its upper end which with said tail piece form an air flow passage, said tubular insert element having further lower wall portions formed to define a liquid flow passage from the supply piping toward said tail piece and terminating in a discharge opening the plane of which extends at an angle to the general direction of liquid flow from the supply piping toward said tail piece; air vents formed through the wall of said tail piece communicating with said air flow passage; a flap valve closure for said discharge opening; and means for displaceably mounting said flap valve closure to close said discharge opening under gravity in the absence f liquid flow and for displacing said fiap valve closure relative to said discharge opening under liquid flow through said liquid flow passage, said flap valve closure comprising yieldable material arranged to engage and seal said discharge opening when in closed position, said yieldable material being configurated to engage a wall of said tail piece intermediate the discharge opening of said tail piece and said air vents to close communication of the lower interior portion of said tail piece with respect to said air vents.

8. A vacuum breaking check valve device in combination with: supply ipiping, saidwvac'uu'm breaking check valve device comprising a tail piece; coupling meanssecuringsaid'tail piece relative toth discharge end of the supply piping; a tubular insert element secured by-the said tail piece adjacentthe discharge-end of the supply piping, said tubular insert element having channel-defining wall portions adjacent its upper end which with said tail piece form an annular air flow passage, said tubular insert element having further lower wall portionsformed to define a liquid flow passage from the supply piping toward said tailpiece and terminating in'a discharge opening the plane of which extends at anangle' to the general direction of liquid flow from the supply piping toward said tail piece; air vents formed through the wall of said tail piece communicating with said annular air flow passage; a flap valve closure for said discharge opening; and means for displaceably mounting said flap valve closure to close said discharge opening under gravity in the absence of liquid fiow and for displacing said fiap valve closure relative to said discharge opening under liquid fiow through said liquid flow passage, said flap valve closure comprising yieldable material arranged to engage and seal said discharge opening when in closed position, said yieldable material being configurated to engage a wal1 of said tail piece intermediate v the discharge opening of said tail piece and said air vents to close communication of the lower interior portion of said tail piece with respect to said air vents.

9. A vacuum breaking check valve device in combination with supply piping, said vacuum breaking check valve device comprising a tail piece; coupling means securing said .tail piece relative to the discharge end of the supply piping; a tubular insert element secured bythe said tail 40 piece adjacent the discharge end of the supply piping, said tubular insert element having channel-defining wall portions adjacent its upper end which with said tail piece form an air fiow passage, said tubular insert element having further lower wall portions formed to define a liquid flow passage from the supply piping toward said tail piece and terminating in a discharge opening of segmental circular formation the plane of which extends at an angle to the general direction of liquid flow from the supply piping toward said tail piece; air vents formed through the wall of said tail piece communicating with said air flow passage; a flap valve closure of segmental circular formation for said discharge opening; and means for displaceably mounting said flap valve closure to close said discharge opening under gravity in the absence of liquid flow and for displacing said flap valve closure relative to said discharge opening under liquid flow through said liquid flow passage, said flap valve closure comprising yieldable material arranged to engage and seal said discharge opening when in closed position, said yieldable material being configurated to engage a wall of said tail piece intermediate the discharge opening of said tail piece and said air vents to close communication of the lower interior portion of said tail piece with respect to said air vents.

10. A vacuum breaking check valve device in combination with supply piping, said vacuum breaking check valve device comprising a tail piece; coupling means securing said tail piece relative to the discharge end of the supply piping; a tubular insert element secured by the said tail piece adjacent the discharge end of the supply piping, said tubular insert element having chan-.

4- aaomns nelidefininz:wallcporflonlrndiaoentritstiuppemmd which with=,.said-:..taiir.1piece farm anannnulazmir flowxpassage,alsaid;tubuiarzinurt eiemenkhavinx further lower; wall cpaxt-irmsdnrmedwtozdefina a liquid flowmassaae tnom.timmpupim mardu- 5 swam valve closure .zt0.:c10sea saick discharze opening underszrmityxin the amenceiot liquid flowsandizforadispiacinc saidisfiapuvalve closure miaflvezto said discharge rgopeningunder :lianid flow 'thmuzhzsaid liquid gflow :passage; said zfiap vllvemloaure comprising .yieldable', material atrsnded tmenzageand seal said discharge. opening when in. 'closed "position, ;sa.id. yieldable material heingxnnflgurated to engage a 'wall'oLsaidtail 1Q .piecmintermediatevzthezdischarze' opening; of said tail-mace andxsaid ainvenhs toxclose communication 011th: iowen mtedqn-portionnf said tail-piece withrespect-tosaid m vents.

JESSE DFIiANGDON. 

